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Annual Report 2017

JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre, 20202 Serapeng Street, Mamelodi East. Tel: 012 801 3197,

Fax: 0866609446 www.wsec.org.za

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Contents

1 Message from the Chairman ............................................................................. 3

2 Background .......................................................................................... 4

3 Our achievements ..........................................................................................5

3.1 Goal one ................................................................................. 5

3.2 Goal two ................................................................................................6

3.2.1 Centre based programs ...................................................................................... 6

3.2.2 Special focus programs for learners with special needs ...... 6

3.2.3 Programs for educators ..............................................................6

3.2.4 Environmental calendar days…………………………………………….

3.3 Goal three ................................................................................... 8

3.3.1 WSEC Youth Clubs ................................................................... 8

3.3.2 Mamelodi Greening Project ............................................... 9

3.3.3 School Greening Programme

3.4 Goal four ........................................................................................ 10

3.4.1 Staff Members ................................................................... 10

3.4.2 Staff training and development .............................................. 10

4. Funders and Partnerships ………………………………………………………11

5. Financial Report ...................................................................................... 12

6. Conclusion ............................................................................................. 13

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1 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

In line with our mission to facilitate awareness and educational programmes and demonstrate models of best practice within the community of Mamelodi, the School Governing Body (SGB) of the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre was able to achieve its organisational objectives. 2017 has been a good year financially which meant that we could do more projects than usual.

This year our attendance numbers stabilised at 11678 as we were still short on staff.

Some highlights of the year were the following:

International Year of Sustainable Tourism We had a number of activities to support this theme: Holiday programme for youth clubs who were taken on a tour through Mamelodi, learning about their own heritage. We got funding from SAASTA to celebrate National Science Week and we also presented training for educators in performing arts that culminated in a play festival.

Mandela Day: Together with SAGE Foundation we had a volunteerism day

at Mahube Primary, starting a vegetable garden to support the soup

kitchen of the school.

At this point let me thank my colleagues, our stakeholders, The Jewish National Fund, the schools, and the community at large for their endless support in 2017.

A special thank you to our funders – without their support the very important work of the Centre and the role it plays within the community, would not have been possible.

____________________________________________________ Frans Mamogobo Chairman: JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre School Governing Body

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2 BACKGROUND:

The Jewish National Fund, Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in

Mamelodi, founded in September 2004, is an environmental

discovery Centre that aims to raise awareness and mobilise

community-based environmental champions.

Our vision is to be a leading Environmental Education Centre that will

mobilise the community to become community based environmental

champions.

Our mission is to create a culture of community conservation in

Mamelodi and Southern Tshwane through facilitating awareness,

education and programs and to demonstrate models of best practice

within the community.

The Centre demonstrates in practical and visible ways actions that

could be taken by South Africans that promote both sustainable

development objectives and climate change mitigation.

Since inception we have hosted over 112000 learners at our Centre in the

key learning areas of Water, Waste, Energy, and Biodiversity with

Curriculum based educational activities that support teachers and

educate and enable learners with outcomes based activities that are

stimulating, fun and informative.

The Centre also supports professional development of educators and grounds staff from Southern Tshwane schools.

The Mamelodi Greening Programme is a community program

through which the Centre has planted over 23 000 trees in schools,

homes and other public places in the last five years.

This report details the number of learners and educators that visited

the Centre and our achievements as set out by our four strategic

goals.

The following four goals were developed to execute the ideals in our vision and mission:

2.1 To be an effective and clear demonstration of environmental

practice and consciousness

2.2 To be social and practically relevant to our beneficiaries and the broader community

2.3 To extend WSEC’s impact and outreach in the broader community

2.4 To nurture effective and healthy communication that supports our

ability to flourish and grow

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3 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

3.1 GOAL ONE

TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF

ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE AND CONSCIOUSNESS

The buildings and surroundings of the Centre demonstrates practical ways

that can be implemented to live sustainably. The garden supports a

permaculture garden to demonstrate food production, a wetland,

grassland and a forest biome.

The permaculture garden demonstrates growing food by working with

nature rather than against it. Here we demonstrate how to use resources

such as water and soil sustainably. Our garden is designed so that energy

is used efficiently, water resources are conserved and integrated into the

garden systems, and nutrients are recycled to feed the soil by making our

own compost.

This year we managed to repair our wetland of which the lining was

severely damaged by crabs. As a result, the water leaked and the water

levels were too low and needed to be topped up too often. We have now

managed to stabilise the situation and are very proud of the two white

faced whistling ducks who moved in and raised two ducklings.

Recycling of waste: Jabu Mthombeni manages the recycling and all material

brought in by learners are separated on the grounds and taken away by

informal recyclers.

The Centre obtained a Green Flag from Eco Schools in 2010 that certifies

our commitment to sustainable environmental management

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3.2 GOAL TWO

BE SOCIAL AND PRACTICALLY RELEVANT TO OUR BENEFICIARIES AND THE

BROADER COMMUNITY

3.2.1 Centre based programs:

In 2017 we hosted 11 678 learners in the Biodiversity, Water Wise, Energy,

and Waste rooms as well as in the living classroom garden.

Generally, the Centre contacts the schools in the district to make

them aware of the activities at the Centre and the appropriate link to

the Curriculum. Schools make bookings to attend specific activities.

The school programs for 2017 supported the international themes: International Year of Sustainable Tourism.

The 2017 visits can be broken down per theme room as follows:

• Water Room: 3899

• Biodiversity Room: 5775

• Waste Room: 443

• Energy Room: 808

• Other Programmes: 753 learners

3.2.2 Special focus programs for learners with special needs

We managed to accommodate 80 learners from schools with special needs. 80 of the learners were from Tshegofatsong, which is a school in Mamelodi that focus on learners who are mentally handicapped Programmes for educators

In the third term we presented four workshops for Intermediate phase Life Skills educators on Performing Arts, presented by Blackdoor Studio. The theme was folklore and supported the International Year of Tourism.

The workshops culminated in a play festival on 24 October 2017. Ten schools participated and captured the audience with their performance.

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3.2.3 Environmental Calendar Days:

• World Water Month 24 March

• Biodiversity Day 22 May

• Mandela Day: 18 July

• National Science Week

World Water Day: 24 March: The theme was Water and Sanitation for a Healthy Future to emphasise that everybody has the right to have access to sufficient, safe and acceptable water that is affordable. A media and community campaign culminated in the Walk for Water March that took place on 24 March in Mamelodi. Learners were mobilised to collect pledges in their community and create ‘Water is Life’ placards. We marched through the community before handing our memorandum to the MMC for Water and Infra-structure Cllr Daryl Moss calling for our water resources to be protected. The event was well attended and all organisations showed solidarity in this common goal. We concluded the programme with the Water Wise message from Rand Water and a performance by Manzi.

2017 Nelson Mandela Day 67 minutes of volunteerism On 26 July volunteers from the Sage Foundation and personnel from our Centre came together to create a food garden at Mahube Valley Primary School as part of our annual Mandela Day Project. The school is a long-term partner of our Centre with an active WSEC Environmental Youth Club that undertakes various activities at school. Phase 1 of the project included the completion of the garden infrastructure (relaying of water, fencing, prepping and edging of beds with recycled 2L bottles to prevent soil erosion) and was followed by a planting event during Arbor Week in September. The food garden now supports the school’s soup kitchen with fresh veggies straight from the garden.

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National Science Week 2017 was declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations. Celebrations recognised the importance of

tourism in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilisations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world. It is also important to

remember that our heritage include not only our cultural heritage but also our natural heritage, and protecting our planet and resources is part of being a

responsible tourist.

The programme presented at our centre had three components

1) 1) Programme for learners: Two programs presented for 5 Natural Science learners, taking a tour of our centre and discovering the different vegetation

types of South Africa.

2) Listen to Women in Science Professor Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya, winner of The National Science and Technology Forum Women in Science Award 2017 (TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Researchers) addressed mothers and daughters from 6 Mamelodi schools during Science Week to encourage them to pursue careers in Science. Professor Phaswane-Mafuya is one of only a few black

epidemiologists and she motivated the girls to use every opportunity to make the best out of themselves.

1) 3) Community members from Mamelodi were invited to learn about medicinal values of various indigenous plants and trees in our garden. They also undertook a tour of our Community Connect Nursery where we propagate our own indigenous shade trees, indigenous shrubs, plants, and medicinal plants for use in our greening programmes. In the nursery everyone had the opportunity to learn some horticultural skills by making and planting cuttings, which they could take home.

2)

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1.

3 .2 HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

3.3 GOAL THREE

TO EXTEND WSEC’S IMPACTAND OUTREACH IN THE BROADER

COMMUNITY

3.3.1 WSEC Youth Clubs

Environmental Quiz

Annually Grade 10 and 11 learners from Life Sciences

from all the schools in Mamelodi are invited to enter

a team of four learners for our Environmental Quiz.

On 27 May fifteen (15) teams of four learners each

competed in the Environmental Quiz on Biodiversity.

Congratulations to the winning team from Phateng

Secondary School

The winners were taken on a tour to the Cradle of

Humankind, during July school holidays.

Camp:4-6 December at Bushpigs

About 60 learners were

able to attend a lovely and

adventurous three days at

Bushpigs near Modimolle.

They could participate in

activities such as the

mudstacle, game viewing,

hiking, and nature studies.

Also supporting the theme for International Tourism and Development, was a four- day programme presented to our WSEC youth clubs during the school holidays. Part of the program was a tour through Mamelodi to showcase the humbling beginnings of the township and to highlight its rich history. The tour was very educational as Mamelodi has a lot of interesting history. The learners enjoyed the tour and it stimulated interest in our tourism sector to local cultural and natural heritage sites in Mamelodi for members from our Youth Clubs

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3.3.2 Nelson Mandela Peace Park Garden

Sustainable Farming Community Gardeners: The Mandela Park Peace Garden is a one-hectare plot adjacent to our Centre, for pensioners from the Mamelodi community to plant their own vegetables. In line with our commitment to support our community with appropriate training opportunities, we invited 22 residents from Mamelodi including some of the pensioner farmers to participate in a 5-day Garden Heroes bio-intensive market gardening course, facilitated by Growhow farmer, Paul Barker. During the workshop, trainees had opportunity to learn how to prepare the soil for better crops, what to plant and when, and how to care for their gardens.

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3.3.3 School Greening Programme

.

One new indigenous garden was developed at Zakhele Primary this year. A total number of six workshops were held at the school, and involved two educators, one gardener and twenty learners in the development of the garden. The learners had the opportunity to design their own garden could choose their own plants from our nursery. The gardens allow the children to learn about different indigenous plants, the soil, propagation of plants, when and where to plant their plants.

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GOAL FOUR

TO NURTURE EFFECTIVE AND HEALTHY COMMUNICATION THAT SUPPORTS OUR ABILITY TO FLOURISH AND GROW

3.4.1 Staff Members:

WSEC started the year with a total staff component of 8. In

addition, one volunteer staff member was employed by SAASTA.

3.4.2 Staff training and development:

• On 17 October we had a planning session at the Kwalata Game Ranch in Dinokeng.

• Our staff undertook an educational tour to the Bio to Watt

plant near Bronkhorstspruit. The Bio to Watt plants uses

methane gas to generate electricity. At this plant waste

from factories and cow manure are used to ferment and

release methane gas, which is then sold to Escom who uses

it to generate electricity.

We are grateful to a committed and dedicated staff without who we would not be able to achieve our goals.

4 FUNDERS AND PARTNERSHIPS:

___________________________________________ WSEC is very grateful for the funding we receive from our generous

sponsors:

• City Property

• Hans Hoheisen Charitble Trust

• R Chipkin

• RMB Workshop

• Norman Goodfellows

• SAASTA

• National Lottery Board

• Rand Merchant Bank Trust

• Community Chest

• SG Menell

• Sage SA

• Rand Water

During this year we had partnerships with the following organisations:

• Rand Water

• National Zoo

• SAASTA

• Gauteng Environmental Education Forum

• City of Tshwane

• University of Pretoria (Sci-Enza)

• Adop-Moreletaspruit Forum

• Umkariso Women in Water

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•

5. FINANCIAL REPORT

Operating Expenses Amount

Administration, operational accounting and bookkeeping

52925

Environmental Outreach-School clubs 2127

Environmental Events 1383

Living Classroom Permaculture 44953

Resources Development 8187

Staff Salaries 592645

Auditors 7320

Transport 161334

Mandela Peace Park garden 23837

Greening Mamelodi Project 80103

Lottery funding expenditures 466533

Total 1440987

Summary

Total income of donors 1432813

Total interest received 10244

Total operating expenses 1440987

Surplus/Deficit 2070

6. CONCLUSION:

The Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi is playing an

increasingly vital role in educating grassroots communities about their

environment.

This year we managed to have a total number of 11678 learners that

attended our school programs. Our well-trained facilitators make sure that

quality programs that reach the objectives of the school curriculum are well

presented.

We have maintained excellent relationships with the schools in our area and

the community and managed to deliver a number of quality value added

services, such as schools greening, the environmental quiz, Science week,

training of community gardeners, educators and communities.

We have developed partnerships with government and non- governmental

organisations on awareness campaigns on global issues such as water,

sustainable farming, climate change and protection of endangered species.

Locally our personnel continue to expand their environmental knowledge

base and take action on regional issues such as cleaning of our rivers and

community conservation and greening, as well as participated in community

action on Mandela Day.

We feel confident that we are delivering on our mandate to be a

leading Environmental Education Centre that inspires and motivates

the youth and community to enable about knowledgeable

sustainable change

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This document was developed for the JNF WSEC by Christa van Schalkwyk

Board members 2017: Mr. Frans Mamogobo, Chris Wild, Isla Feldman, AM Ramashala, Christa van Schalkwyk, Riaan Visser, Nomvula Maselela, Naome Rabhotata, Benji Schulmann, Ronnie Malatji, Tsakane Maluleke

Winners of the following Awards: Mail and Guardian 2011 Runner up in Climate Change Leadership Awards 2012 SANParks Kudu Award 2012

Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards 2013